Discusses two phases of research on parents' involvement in their children's schooling in England and Wales. Discussion of key themes of the research focuses on missed opportunities for contact between parents and schools and diversity in schools' provision of services to parents. (BG)

This study evaluates parental use of differential reinforcement of other and/or incompatible behavior to treat high-rate disruptive behavior in a severely retarded four-year-old boy. A withdrawal experimental design was used. Intervention effectively reduced instances of toy chewing and throwing, while appropriate toy play and ability to remain…

Examines diversity in home visiting by considering policy and program design decisions related to the content of the visit, relations between the parent and the home visitor, and individualization of the visit. (BG)

Explored the effects of the participation of 127 parents and their preschool children in a mandatory parent education component of a preschool program. The parent education program significantly influenced parent-child 20-minute 1-on-1 activities, although no effect on parental attitudes was detected. (RJC)

Provides guidelines for successfully building parental involvement by fitting educational and classroom needs into parents' schedules and by carefully matching parents to classroom jobs to keep interest and involvement high. (ETB)

New evidence shows the lifelong value of parents' involvement in their children's education. The article provides guidelines for parents, then details the lifelong benefits of parent involvement, highlighting the benefits at each educational level. Methods of promoting family-school partnerships are presented. (SM)

Professionals and 16 mothers of disabled infants/toddlers completed the Evaluation and Programing System-I and the Parent Form Level I, respectively. Results indicated moderate to high correlations between professionals' assessments and mothers' assessments, though mothers tended to rate children higher. (Author/JDD)

Reviews "Head Start: The Inside Story of America's Most Successful Educational Experiment. (Edward Zigler and Susan Muenchow), an insider's account of the early days of the preschool program, and how the program emerged conceptually and politically. (HTH)

Examines the effects of the Lao government's efforts to renew and reform early childhood education in the Lao People's Democratic Republic, including comparisons with the pre-1975 educational system. Describes the new play-oriented kindergarten curriculum for three- to six-year old children, efforts to promote parent involvement, and teacher…

To improve the relationship between educators and parents of handicapped children, educators should try to understand the feelings and attitudes of the parents of a child with a disability. Listed are seven suggestions for teachers to help them work effectively with parents and encourage parent participation in the education of handicapped…

Compares German and French preschool children's attitudes about school and literacy. Notes that French preschools aim to prepare children for primary education, whereas German preschools give priority to learning through play. Finds that children developed attitudes in line with their preschool system and that only French children from deprived…

Examines how parents become involved in state-funded prekindergarten programs for children identified as at risk for later school failure. Participants included 21 teachers at two programs in a midwestern school district. Significant differences exist between home-visitation and family-center models of program delivery in the types of activities…

Guntersville Elementary School, a preK-2 school in Alabama, earned the U.S. Department of Education's Blue Ribbon Schools award through creative programs addressing school readiness, parent education, and the need for extended-day and summer activities; a progressive curriculum; and various community partnerships. (SV)

Discusses how food preparation activities in the early childhood classroom can facilitate parent participation. Explains how cooking activities can involve reading, math, science, reading, writing, multicultural components, and creativity. They also provide opportunities to foster social skills, independence, and following directions. Suggests…

Evaluated a daily exercise program to determine the impact on Head Start children's physical fitness. Found that children in treatment programs improved in strength, balance, endurance, and enthusiasm. Children in comparison programs showed little physical improvement. Parent components of the program included workshops, newsletters, activity…